The Permanent Commission of the CNRT/CN might be crippled at the onset
of its formation on 21 Sept in Dili with its rejection by two of the
largest political parties in East Timor. Both Fretilin and UDT have
refused to be part of the commission by declining to sign a document on
the body's formation.

It is hoped that the Permanent Commission will unite all political
parties in East Timor in accordance with the aspirations of CNRT's
National Congress that was held between 21-30 August.

CNRT/CN President Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao said the the formation
of the Permanent Commission was agreed upon at CNRT National Congress.

"It was a decision of the majority at the Congress," said
Xanana.

The East Timor Presidential candidate said the leaders of Fretilin and
UDT had been invited three times to debate on the formation of the
Permanent Commission, but they declined to be present.

"We are not in a position to do anything. The Jurisdictional
Council will look at the legalities and they will look at ways to make the
commission functional without the presence of the two parties," added
Xanana.

The President of Partido Democratico Cristao Vicente Guterres said
Fretilin and UDT had to realise their responsibilities to the newly
independent East Timor.

"Because of differences in opinion between Fretilin, UDT and
Apodeti, the tragic events of 1975 occurred," said Guterres.

"The differences of 1975 must be put behind. If there are still
differences, it's the people who would suffer."

But Fretilin's Secretary-General Mari Alkatari said his party is
contemplating on leaving CNRT because of differences in opinion with the
umbrella organisation.

He referred to the incident where Xanana and CNRT Vice-President Jose
Ramos-Horta resigned from their positions at the National Congress and
hours later returned back to their posts. He said those tactics were meant
to intimidate Fretilin.

Alkatari also accused Xanana of paying too much attention to the newly
formed Social Democratic Party (PSD) instead of listening to the parties
that founded CNRT.

(Note: The PSD was inaugurated early this week with Mario Carrascalao,
Jose Ramos-Horta, Zacharias da Costa and Leonardo Issacs as founding
members).

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